March in Marin City planned to protest decision in sheriff's shooting case

A march is planned in Marin City on Wednesday to highlight what organizers call racial injustices against the black community by the Marin County Sheriff's Office.

The march comes after last week's decision by the district attorney's office not to charge sheriff's Deputy Evan Kubota for shooting Chaka Grayson during a traffic stop in Marin City in July. Grayson, 44, suffered bullet wounds to the arm and was charged with misdemeanors but not assault.

"There is a problem with law enforcement not only in Marin City, but Marin County," said Kerry Pierson, a former Marin County Human Rights commissioner and Marin Community Foundation trustee, who is helping organize the march. "This case is our Oscar Grant and Trayvon Martin, but Chaka didn't die. The whole thing is disturbing to me."

The flier for the event reads in part: "Join Marin City residents, their allies and neighbors in a peaceful march to call attention to the pervasive and racist injustices that are being perpetrated by the sheriff's department against our African-American brothers and sisters."

Sheriff Robert Doyle said his department remains committed to improving relations with the community and has suggested a citizens council as a method to talk about issues.

"I have sat down with the Community Services District about that idea, but four months later we have not heard back," said Doyle, who said he is concerned about the charged language in the flier and said he was not told of the march by its organizers. "This incident was difficult, but there have not been any major events since then. We have stood by ready to be a partner with the community."

The march will begin at 3:30 p.m. at 200 Drake Ave. and continue to the Marin City's Sheriff's Substation, where people will "voice their hopes for a just, peaceful and equitable community" until 5 p.m., according to the flier.

Meanwhile, members of Marin's Peace and Justice Coalition are planning to address county supervisors about the Grayson shooting aftermath when that panel meets Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred July 7, when the deputy was on patrol along Terners Drive in Marin City, the sheriff's office reported. The deputy saw a gold Buick approaching him from the other direction.

As the deputy drove by he saw that the driver was Grayson, whom he knew had a suspended driver's license, according to the sheriff's office.

The deputy then made a U-turn and pulled in perpendicular behind Grayson's vehicle. There was a second vehicle parked in front of Grayson as well, according to an eyewitness report.

As the deputy got out of his patrol car, he noticed that Grayson ducked down as he approached. The deputy drew his firearm and ordered Grayson to show his hands. Instead, Grayson accelerated his vehicle toward the deputy, at which point the deputy fired toward Grayson, according to the sheriff's office.

But Grayson's public defender, Michael Coffino, said last week that while his client was charged, "the person who will be on trial in this case is the deputy who fired his gun directly at the body of an unarmed man suspected of driving with a suspended license, and at the rear of his fleeing vehicle."

Over the years residents have voiced concerns over the way some sheriff's deputies handle policing in the community, alleging they are unprofessional, aggressive and disrespectful to residents. The department uses Marin City as a training ground because of the high crime rate, sheriff's officials say.